Question about tricones

[murrmac123]

I recently acquired a M14 National, and have become interested in resonators in general.

One thing I am not quite clear on is whether, in a tricone guitar, the spider just sits on the cone apexes (apices ?) and is held by string tension , or whether it is screwed to the cone , similar to the tensioning screw as in a 10.5" dobro type cone. I do get that if it were screwed, it would only be for retention purposes ... you couldn't "tension" the cone.

I am visualizing either that the spider is screwed to the cone, or else that it has three nipples which sit in indentations in the cone apexes.

I guess somebody on here has taken their tricone apart at some time and can answer

[Cone Head]

Originally Posted by murrmac123

it has three nipples which sit in indentations in the cone apexes.

Correct.
There are no screws. String tension holds everything in place.